Coffee Slingers

[fourthworldtraffic]

The library has no such policy and you don't even have to buy a latte.Bring a corn syrup and caffiene seltzer and slum on the internet all day. I do.

[okyeah]

I haven't been in Coffee Slingers very much, but what turned me off was their wifi policy. I was in there on a Sunday and was having a latte and wanted to look up a building address for an event I was going to later that evening. I asked for the password and was told that there's no wifi on Sunday and no exceptions. All I wanted was to get the address of a building off their site and couldn't do it so I left. On the way out I saw the list of all the policies with their wifi and got turned off. Sundays are supposedly "community day" but there wasn't much community in there to begin with. I ended up driving over to Red Cup. They were closed but I could still get their wifi sitting in my car. That kind of attitude just bugged for some reason for the rest of the day. My solution is to just not go there anymore and find a place where I can use my laptop no matter what day of the week it is.

wow..a list of policies concerning wifi. I frequent a lot of coffee shops, but haven't been to Coffee Slingers. I probably won't visit either.

[FritterGirl]

I haven't been in Coffee Slingers very much, but what turned me off was their wifi policy. I was in there on a Sunday and was having a latte and wanted to look up a building address for an event I was going to later that evening. I asked for the password and was told that there's no wifi on Sunday and no exceptions. All I wanted was to get the address of a building off their site and couldn't do it so I left. On the way out I saw the list of all the policies with their wifi and got turned off. Sundays are supposedly "community day" but there wasn't much community in there to begin with. I ended up driving over to Red Cup. They were closed but I could still get their wifi sitting in my car. That kind of attitude just bugged for some reason for the rest of the day. My solution is to just not go there anymore and find a place where I can use my laptop no matter what day of the week it is.

I can certainly see how that would be an annoyance, but I would be grateful they offer free wifi at all. Most places do not. I rather like the concept of community day. It helps people get unplugged, and actually strike up a conversation with one another, not a bad concept in today's day and age.

As for their staff, while it is true Melody is not the most "hiya, darn glad to meet ya" kind of person, I think in Oklahoma we are extremely spoiled because we are so used to everybody being like this. When someone happens to be either a bit more introverted, or not as outwardly enthusiastic, we take that as being rude. Go to other cities and I assure you what we have here is rare.

I find her to be just fine. Not a chatty Cathy, by any means, but where in the "rule book" does it say she has to be? She is focused on putting out a superior product, and does that very, very well. One thing I will say, rarely do I go in there that she and her staff are not working their tails off.

Her two other staff members (female) are both very friendly, and if you are in there at all with any regularity as some are, they will get to not only know you by name, but know your drink and start getting it ready as you are all but walking in the door.

While I have enjoyed the Red Cup on several occasions, what I really enjoy about Slingers is that they bring in a mixed crowd. Plus, I just enjoy the airiness of the place. Red Cup (IMO) is almost for the "I'm alternative and you're not" crowd, a little snobbism in their boho attitudes. Not that it is a BAD thing, but it's just that Slingers brings in folks from different sides of life, whereas Red Cup does not, necessarily. I do love Red Cup's bagel sandwiches, though. Fabulous!

[mecarr]

Coffee Slingers is the most pretenious place I've ever been. The staff is snooty, their wifi policy treats their customers like children, and their coffee is terrible.

[GWB]

I haven't been in Coffee Slingers very much, but what turned me off was their wifi policy. I was in there on a Sunday and was having a latte and wanted to look up a building address for an event I was going to later that evening. I asked for the password and was told that there's no wifi on Sunday and no exceptions. All I wanted was to get the address of a building off their site and couldn't do it so I left. On the way out I saw the list of all the policies with their wifi and got turned off. Sundays are supposedly "community day" but there wasn't much community in there to begin with. I ended up driving over to Red Cup. They were closed but I could still get their wifi sitting in my car. That kind of attitude just bugged for some reason for the rest of the day. My solution is to just not go there anymore and find a place where I can use my laptop no matter what day of the week it is.

That's such a stupid policy. Sounds like communism to me.

[GWB]

Coffee Slingers is the most pretenious place I've ever been. The staff is snooty, their wifi policy treats their customers like children, and their coffee is terrible.

Totally agree with you.

[alan]

i've never been to coffee slingers, but i certainly hope they are doing well. i know a lot of our regulars split time between us and them. while we may come from very different perspectives and schools of thought, (from what i hear) we both want to prove to people that locally owned individual concepts can provide a much better product than the chains.

[SavageDigital]

...and their coffee is terrible.

I'm not certain how fresh roasted (served within 7-14 days) beans from an artisan roaster (Barefoot Coffee Roasters) that is ground and prepared on a per-order basis in a press pot could ever be considered "terrible" - something doesn't make sense.

i've never been to coffee slingers, but i certainly hope they are doing well.

I was there again today around 10am, the tables housed another 18 or so customers. Also I know several other people have made comments to staff being aloof, but I've never felt that in my visits - professional and attentive is all I'm after there, they've provided that.

[fourthworldtraffic]

I love this place. Coffee Slingers. Been away awhile, now I am back. The place seems to be doing ok. I think the El salvador is the savior of my day.

[BG918]

I go about once or twice a week because I think the coffee is fantastic, and the sweets they have in the mornings are great too. There is one girl that works in there I don't like but also two that are very friendly and know me (I have become sort of a regular). They always seem to do good business when I'm in there so hopefully they are sticking around for awhile. And for a place with no parking lot if I'm driving it is the easiest place to get in/out of with the street parking on Broadway never full.

[Stan Silliman]

I think he does work there. If you do a google search for "Ian Halliday" (his handle backwards) and "coffee" you'll see some comments in response to a blog that he refers to Coffee Slingers and "we" as if he works there.

I felt Sherlock Holmes-y...

Just an observation.

I've got some missing persons for which I could use your services . See if you can find my old comedian buddy, originally from Oklahoma City, Brian Goodhead.

If you find him I'll buy you a coffee and a bagel of your choice at Coffee Slingers.

[metro]

Can I suggest we change the name of the title of this thread? "Barely hanging on" sounds unfair considering that this thread was created 7 months ago and the place is still open. I don't care for Coffee Slingers, but I feel the thread is almost libel.

[kevinpate]

I dunno, kinda enjoy the irony of it all, but I'm weird like that.

I also found delightful humor in 03 when a passle of public defenders were assigned new quarters, in a former psych ward, of a state mental hospital building. And, as if that wasn't enough to bring on smiles, the building's moniker is Hope Hall.

A runing gag for a spell was these folks weren't merely dedicated, they were committed.

[BBatesokc]

I've been to Coffee Slingers several times and really like the place. Its had its growing pains but overall they seem to serve their target market well.

I met Melody awhile back at the YMCA (before CS opened). I found her to be quirky, artsy and quite intriguing and pleasant to be around.

I'm not into coffee too much but my wife is. She loves their coffee and I enjoy the atmosphere.

I think it is what is needed downtown and if they can hang-on while more people move to downtown and become a more walking public, then they will do quite well in the future.

Maybe they can expand and add magazines and vinyl to fill the gap created from the closure of Taylor's Newsstand (wishful thinking).

[metro]

I've found her to be arrogant and extremely rude to myself and others in line.

[OKCMallen]

metro, have an example?

[FritterGirl]

Some people expect everyone they encounter to be perky and sweet 100% of the time, and act like they're trying to win a popularity contest. I guess I'm one of the few that doesn't expect that from everyone. Now if you are downright surly, that's another thing.

Is Melody focused? Intensely so.
Is she committed to putting out a really great product? Absolutely.
Is she the most personable person on the block? Not everyday, but then, not everyone is a shiny, happy extrovert, nor should they be expected to be so.

I have NEVER had a problem with her and have been going in at least 2x a week since they opened. I go in on weekends a lot, too. I've engaged in several conversations with her and find her to be quite pleasant.

I guess you have to decide which type of service you like best -- the constant "upsale" service at 7-11 (no I don't want an ice cream bar with my coffee and gas at 7 in the morning, but thanks); the "look how cool/cute I am because I'm singing into my headset" sachherine-perky service at Starbucks, or the somewhat less effuse but steady service at Coffee Slingers.

Chacun a son gout, alors!

[GWB]

I've found her to be arrogant and extremely rude to myself and others in line.

x2

[Steve]

Oh come on folks. Melody may be quirky and certainly intense about doing coffee a certain way, but arrogant and rude? I go to Coffee Slingers at least once every week or so, and I'd compare the vibe to that of Sauced. They're real people, they're artistic, and they're not perfect robotrons with perfect robotron dimples and smiles.
Here's my own guide on coffee shops. Let it be known I'm still mourning the loss of Uncommon Grounds and I don't miss BrewHaHa.
If you're in the mood for a very refined style coffee or tea (they do have good coffee) and a very laid bac atmosphere, go to Coffee Slingers. If you're wanting more of a family style, mom and pop coffee shop, go to The Buzz and tell Tim and Allison I said hi. If you want to meet up with the movers and shakers downtown and don't mind the hustle and bustle of a busy place, go to Java Daves. If you want mediocre coffee, good corporate music selections and comfortable chairs, go to Starbucks. If you want to enjoy a ballgame on tv with your coffee or play a game of checkers with your son while sipping hot cocoa and you're in northwest OKC, go to Vintage Coffee and Alan will do what it takes to make you comfortable.

[OKCMallen]

Oh come on folks. Melody may be quirky and certainly intense about doing coffee a certain way, but arrogant and rude? I go to Coffee Slingers at least once every week or so, and I'd compare the vibe to that of Sauced. They're real people, they're artistic, and they're not perfect robotrons with perfect robotron dimples and smiles.
Here's my own guide on coffee shops. Let it be known I'm still mourning the loss of Uncommon Grounds and I don't miss BrewHaHa.
If you're in the mood for a very refined style coffee or tea (they do have good coffee) and a very laid bac atmosphere, go to Coffee Slingers. If you're wanting more of a family style, mom and pop coffee shop, go to The Buzz and tell Tim and Allison I said hi. If you want to meet up with the movers and shakers downtown and don't mind the hustle and bustle of a busy place, go to Java Daves. If you want mediocre coffee, good corporate music selections and comfortable chairs, go to Starbucks. If you want to enjoy a ballgame on tv with your coffee or play a game of checkers with your son while sipping hot cocoa and you're in northwest OKC, go to Vintage Coffee and Alan will do what it takes to make you comfortable.

I'm not sure, but i think this post is full of WIN.

[Steve]

WIN?
I just checked out the urban dictionary (a great tool when you're over 40 and unhip). OK, I think I get it now.

[BG918]

The coffee is good enough that I'll take the attitude. There are 4 different people that I have ever seen working at Coffee Slingers: 3 women and 1 guy. 2 of the women are VERY nice, know who I am and what I drink, and are friendly without being fake like at Starbucks. The guy is nice but doesn't say much. The other girl who has been working the past few mornings I've been in is pretty snobby and rude. So for me it's 1 out of 4 that I don't like and like I said the coffee is really good, IMO, so I'll be frequenting the place as long as it lasts.

[soonerguru]

I've found her to be arrogant and extremely rude to myself and others in line.

Oh good God. This is getting ridiculous. She's not a warm fuzzy, but she doesn't openly insult the customers. They make good coffee. It's a smooth transaction. You won't get lots of "honeys" and "sweeties" but you'll get your coffee and move on with your day.

[Steve]

Sometimes I'm wondering if some folks on this thread are looking for a combination of Starbucks and Hooters. And for all I know, such a business venture exists in real life. It's probably coming to Bricktown right after Coyote Ugly.

[tuck]

[QUOTE=metro;218552]Can I suggest we change the name of the title of this thread? "Barely hanging on" sounds unfair considering that this thread was created 7 months ago and the place is still open.

I agree with Metro here, please change the name of this thread. I also seriously doubt anyone on this board has ever known their financial situation in the first place.